Elizabeth's Different Stages Of Self Realization Through Men

Arpita Banik

Dr. Clark

1st Year Seminar

23 May 2018 Elizabeth’s Different Stages of Self Realization Through Men

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, marriage acts both as a bridge and a barricade between the classes of an English society. Elizabeth Bennet, a member of the lower gentry, has three men approach her: the awkward Mr. Collins, the charismatic Mr. Wickham, and the enigmatic Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is the potential inheritor of Bennet’s property and comes to Elizabeth for her hand in marriage; however, he is arrogant, narrow-minded and is unable to understand Elizabeth despite being a ticket to a financially stable life. On the other hand, Mr.Wickham is attractive and knows how to get along with ladies including Elizabeth. On the

Collins proposes to Elizabeth because as a clergyman he needs to get married and it happens that the Bennet family has five daughters to marry off so he deludes himself into thinking that he is doing a favor to the Bennet family by marrying one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. Elizabeth does not see genuinity in Mr. Collins’ proposal. He refers to his own well-being when he says “myself” and “my happiness.” He only wants to get married to fulfill his needs and ignores what Elizabeth wants, which is seen when he thinks that Elizabeth is lying to herself about not wanting to marry him. He not only brags about his status but tells Elizabeth that she should be glad that he’s proposing to her because she is of low gentry. Elizabeth refuses his offer and says, “your hope is rather an extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal” (105). Elizabeth does not want to marry Mr. Collins because she does not only want to marry for the convenience of having money but also wants to experience happiness in a more genuine and less practical way. She does not see any sincerity in Mr. Collins’ reasoning to marry her. In contrast, Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins proposal. Although both Elizabeth and Charlotte are very intelligent ladies, they share opposite viewpoints on marriage. For example, Charlotte states, “I am not romantic... I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’ character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” (123). Charlotte thinks that marriage is a business, and in order to have a place in society, one must have a partner as businesses do to have mobility. In this case having a business partner is having a wife or husband who can